Awning Project

[chnlisle]

Hola Ben,
I'm starting my awning project. The awninig track fits nicely under the roof latches. I will need to adjust the reflectors but I dont see that as an issue. I am having some difficult finding hex head zinc plated self tappers. Can you recomend a source for them? I need about 60 to complete the install. Thanks

 

[WarpathEngineering]

Try here,

http://www.boltdepot.com/Default.aspx

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Good Luck and post your photos!

Rick

 

[pvstoy]

http://www.fastenal.com/web/storeInfo.ex?branch=AZTUC

Is this near you???

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex?N=999600063&Nty=0

You should find what you need there at Fastenal.

Good luck and pictures because if it takes 60 screws I want to see it.

 

[the fisherman]

Fasteners

If you can't find what you need, I probably have what you need, I'm deep in fasteners, what length? EAT MORE FISH

 

[the fisherman]

Fasteners Again

Part of my camper project involved refastining the entire outside of my camper, because most of the hex head screws showed rust.I used electro coated center driven screws, no corners, less corosion, and rust. So far so good, and because I live in a rain forrest, Im a real good test.

 

[benburnett]

zinc plated screws

Jay,

Looks like eveyone beat me to a source for you. We buy our screws directly from American Bolt and Screw. If you just let me know what size you want, if we have them in stock, I'll send you what you need.

Just give me a call when you have time.

 

[chnlisle]

Thanks Y'all and Ben. Ben I need about 60 of the same screws used to put the door in. I'll give you a call this AM. Thanks again.

PS the new bed is fantastic. Tell Marty I haven't hit my head yet. Tell Jeff he needs to quiet down all that talking will tire him out.

 

[benburnett]

jays screws

Jay,

Had to get off my rear today and go do a job. Since I was out and about, stopped by the shop and sent your screws out. You should have them on Thursday.

 

[chnlisle]

Y'gotta love this guy.

 

[chnlisle]

OK. its freezing ass cold here but I have the awning track on with hex nuts every 4 inches. I have a track on both sides of the Hawk so we can park either way and still use the awning. Its time to start sewing. In my head I've got this thing figured out but Y'all know my head. I am going to use some of the old curtain panels that were in the bedroom when we moved in. They're supposed to be UV resistant. But at the very least I can proto type it with them. I'll post pix when I've got it done.

 

[SunMan]

My curiosity is piqued Jay...looking forward to some pics.

 

[erod]

i too am looking forward to pics...an awning is something i see in my near future...

 

[chnlisle]

Well Here it is. It took about 3 hours time. This curtain material was a PIA to sew. I broke 2 needles and the thread kept snapping as well. I made a run to Lowes for the metal conduit so actual fabricating time was probably 2 hours. I flattened the ends of the conduit so I could drill them for the pointed ends of the tent poles to slip in. I am usually pretty good at the Singer but I'm affraid my stiches aren't very pretty. All stress areas (awning chord, conduit pocket, middle lap seam) are double or tripled stiched. I plan to fit dowles into the ends of the tent poles so they can be drilled and attached to the jack brackets. That way I wont have any poles on the ground to trip over. In theory the thing should be free standing without the need for pole ropes and tent pegs but that remains to be seen.

 

[chnlisle]

All rolled up it's pretty compact. Certainly mores so than the free standing Costco awning I usually use and way easier to set up. It took about 3 minutes to set up. The Costco thing takes forever when you finally figure out which pole goes in which plastic thingy.

Now for the cost. I had the Awning material(old curtains) and poles. Free
Awning chord. I bought 20' @ $1.05 per foot. The extra is for the sunbrella project so for this awning about $13. Awning track about $50. It would have been less had I opted for 2 short pieces per side but I wanted just one piece on each side and UPS charges extra for the longer package. 1/2" galvy conduit $1.20. Total costs about $65 Pam thinking I'm a hero....PRICELESS!!!

 

[erod]

well done, thanks for the pics! looks good!

 

[lqhikers]

awning nice!

Jay now that you have global warming taken care of how is your awning going to handle rain and wind ?,or is it just for shade? Just curious.
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"

Les,lqhikers.

 

[chnlisle]

Hi Les,
For the time being it's just for shade we'll just go into the friendly confines of our Hawk when it rains. As for wind, I haven't found an awning yet that will handle a blow and that always is an issue but its's far better than what we are currently using. Here are a couple more pix of the awning in free standing mode. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

 

[lqhikers]

don't put the sewing machine away!

Jay,while you have the machine out you should buy some of the shade cloth and sew up second awning for windy conditions.We keep both type's in camper and when we know it's not going to rain we just put up shade cloth awning,seems to handle the wind much better than solid awning.Just a idea as it seems like you have to much time on your hands!
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"

Les, lqhikers

 

[DLN]

Jay,

Nice work, simple and cheap, I love it. We also will be adding an awning some time before a Utah trip here in the near future, but haven't decided what type yet. I will sure keep yours in mind as we usually don't need extra shade at our mountain camp spots and may not want to spend too much on it.

 

[chnlisle]

After years of using the old aluminum frame job and that August in Bluff I think this just might be the ticket. I know I'll be making another with better fabric but just seeing it in the back yard I'm stoked.